Q&A with The Novellos' Mike Thomas

Courtesy of SONS Records

North Staffordshire band, The Novellos, have fused soul with rock & roll to create quite a stir. Adam Steele (Bass and Vocals), Sam 'Fingers' J Walker (Keys, Brass and Vocals), Eddy Gillespie (Drums, Percussion and Vocals) and Mike Thomas (Guitar and Vocals) have been the current set-up for a few years now. Having received national airplay on Radio 1 and confident backing from SONS Records, lead singer Mike Thomas speaks to Folkopops about the bands re-release of single The Lady Is Not For Turning.

Folkopops: Why have you chosen to re-release the single The Lady Is Not For Turning?

Mike: The Lady Is Not For Turning has always served us as a great live track, to re-release it remixed and re-mastered exclusively on vinyl is a big deal to us. It was our first single on Sons and it definitely captures our live feel on record. We wouldn’t re-release unless we thought a revision of the track was truly worth it, and with the sound we’re getting out of the SONS studio now, it truly was worth revisiting.

What were your reactions when it reached No3 in the Indie Charts in 2008?

Well, as you can imagine, absolutely ecstatic. It was a great time for the label. We had four artists in the top 5 that week (This is Seb Clarke snatched No1 off The Futureheads). We had a live session for Steve Lamacq the day we got the news, needless to say a lot of time was spent down the pub afterwards!

How would you describe your music? Who are your influences?

With the Novellos, I’d say it’s pretty easy to strip down the tracks and see the influences behind them. We all take a lot of stock in the early soul scene and 60’s beat music. Think Billy Preston, Spencer Davies Group, the Revolver and Rubber Soul albums – I suppose the aim is raw-feeling brass-led punk-pop rock & roll. We strive more for Blondie meets Dexy’s Midnight Runners than another Mark Ronson-ified indie-band.

Why ‘The Novellos’?

I think it’s easy to get carried away with ‘the meaning behind the name’- I could say it’s a back reference to Ivor Novello as a tip of the hat to a great song writer, but really, the name just felt right and was one of few we could agree on!

Courtesy of SONS Records

Has it been difficult having so many band member switches over the years?

Not at all. We’ve had our fair share of drama, sure. Brothers and best-mates don’t get along forever and when each of you are songwriters there will always be those clichéd creative differences. But you can’t forget we’re here for the same reason, we want to play – the four as we are now has been the same for a long time. I think we’ve got the formula right now.

How did you find the reception of single Not So Sure?

Not So Sure was one of those live-tracks that people always asked us to release. It’s a heavy hitting track that relies on the rhythm section to drive it along. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a love it or a hate it track and it splits the crowd but it out-sold The Lady Is Not For Turning as I think it pulled in a wider audience.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The Sons showcases never fail us, when you have the likes of Phil Jupitus and Steve Lamacq introducing you with a DJ set you know you’ll get a warmed up crowd. It’s also a chance for all the bands on the label, staff as well, to get together and show what we’re about. The nights always bring a few surprises. Carl Barat and Alex Turner caused their fair shares of drama backstage when they turned up as well!

How was SONS Records affected your career?

To say SONS affected our career is an understatement. Sons has been everything that we are, were and will be. Seb’s (Seb Clarke) a rare producer. He knows how to get the best (sometimes painfully) out of every performance, that goes for live and recording. We’re a DIY with a lot of clout, but not a lot of money and I’m happy to keep it that way.

What does the future hold for The Novellos?

We’re going to be churning out all the singles we’ve been working on these past couple years. It’s nice to have the flexibility of being a singles band. It gives you the opportunity to move in a lot of directions – we’re going to try and get some tour dates in this summer around our releases, perhaps catching the end of the festival season.

Courtesy of SONS Records

Seb Clarke, 40, Company Director of Sons Records & Sonstream, Musician and Songwriter and House Producer for Sons Records was asked about The Novellos.

Why are The Novellos signed to SONS Records?

The Novellos (original line up) approached us in 2006 and we agreed on a 'one release' deal at that point - that turned out to the The Lady Is Not For Turning release. It proved a successful working relationship from that point onwards and there's never been any reason for either party to want to change the set up.

What do you think they can achieve?

I think they could be the next Beatles, if they want to work as hard as did John, Paul, George & Ringo...

Find out more about The Novellos on Facebook and via SONS Records and buy The Lady Is Not For Turning and Not So Sure on iTunes.

Live Review: The Temper Trap @ KOKO, Camden

The Temper Trap frontman, Dougy Mandagi. Pic: pamhule

KOKO, Camden, London, UK - 22/05/12

Thrashing melodic sounds combined with political meaning attempted to suggest there's more to The Temper Trap than just a sweet pop song once loved by so many before its repetition and demise.

The Australian London-based band summed up last summer's riots with a blood red stage and a classic 90s chorus outburst in London's Burning.

Average first single Need Your Love, opener from the self-titled album released yesterday, provided a familiar guitar riff and too simple a sound, failing to compare to debut Conditions opener Love Lost. This track followed to much delight from an aroused audience who played along to the addictive clapping rhythm.

Although new album fillers Miracle and Rabbit Hole were pleasant, they never reached the heights of Down River. The passion poured out of Jonathon Aherne's acoustic guitar as frontman Dougy Mandagi paraded the stage shouting 'Don't stop!'

Trembling Hands asks us to throw Dougy a line and it seems like he may need the support as the dull chorus is fairly uninspiring.

Thankfully the addictive guitar riff of Science of Fear was not far away and the first of a trio of song highlights soon mesmerised. The breakdown during the track was perfect before a captivating build-up culminated in a grateful applause.

Resurrection quickly followed to keep up the momentum and a superb crashing down with the drums taking poll position was well executed.

The instrumental Drum Song closed a pre-encore set in extravagant style as the band gave it their all and Dougy caught our eye by cheekily pouring water on his personal cymbal before rashly smashing down.

The group returned with the bewitching Soldier On before a dreary new album track disappointingly prepared us for the climax of the evening.

Sweet Disposition met all expectations and the crowd were certainly satisfied trying to reach Dougy's falsetto wonders.

Unexpected 'oldies' were the joys of the night as the new album falls short of any positive comparisons.

Below is the video for The Temper Trap's Trembling Hands:

               

Even Hitler never used profanities...

Courtesy of Leo Robinson, Rick Dobbing

Whether it was his arrogance and selfishness that led him to slam his acoustic guitar down and storm off, or his ignorance towards a rowdy audience member, the man who likened himself to Hitler did not end his set too pleased.

Dressed Like Wolves had gathered much anticipation ahead of their headline set in Stoke-on-Trent. I, for one, was looking forward to the dark, sultry sounds of Rick Dobbing's captivating voice and lo-fi indie compositions at the The Old Brown Jug pub.

Sat near the front with our pint glasses in hand, we were prepared to indulge in a night of chilled acoustic entertainment.

After little time, two upfront and talkative brothers had joined our table. Although apprehensive at first, we grew to love their company and soon bonded to form a pleasant companionship for the evening.

It seemed like the elder brother in particular had been drinking for longer in the day, and was in his own little world. Whereas the younger brother was very sure of himself and was quite vocal towards the performing acts; gathering many embarrassing looks from the other audience members.

Although louder than the musicians at times, the pair were never offensive and no malice was intended upon the performers. One musician, unfortunately, was not so sympathetic to their enjoyment being expressed so freely and vocally.

"I was just getting angry with that wanker to be honest."
Said Rick Dobbing.

A clearly talented young man, with a unique voice and chilling style, he also managed to create some sing-alongs with the two men. Unfortunately for him, the loud-mouthed brother was satirically singing the lyrics to songs he felt were being ripped off. As a Radiohead and Blink 182 fan, he was not impressed with such similar sounding songs, and wanted the band to know.

Throughout the set, questions were thrown at him and the strings on his guitar were tightening as the tension rose. To finish off a somewhat dramatic close to the set, the wannabe rock star stepped up from his stool, threw his acoustic on the ground and left for the smoking area, leaving a disjointed applause behind him.

Speaking to him after the show, I felt sympathetic towards his two band members who were left to clear up the mess. He didn't seem to mind though, as he knew his place:

“Well it is just me; everything about it. They're just there. They are my songs. To be honest, they don't really contribute anything in the way of that. I look at my songs and think, I want electric guitar and stuff because they're better instruments. It's not a collaborative thing.”

A modest man with a heart of gold.

It's all OK though, because “we have good banter and that; it's a good laugh,”

Asked, hypothetically, if he was in the Third Reich, and his band members were Goebbels and Goering, would he be Hitler, he responded with a likeness towards the dictator:

“Yeah, man. It's like when Leo (of support act Cult Party) had his friend play; it's his stuff and that's the way it is for me. They're sort of helping to fill the gaps, but it's your thing. I don't class it as being a proper band.”

I can't speak for Leo, but, at the time, these words brought an uncomfortably fidgety response from the Cult Party lead. The support act's spellbinding set was by far the musical highlight of the night and he was a true pleasure to talk to; far from having a likeness to a man comparable to Hitler.

Despite this egotistical frontman creating so much havoc, it was the beautiful words of the boisterous audience member's brother towards the end of the performance: “I know he's like this, but, you know, he's my brother and I love him.”

This lovable rogue's comforting drunken slur, heard from across the pub, was gratifying and welcomed. He was eccentric and opinionated, and perhaps the last person you would want in your audience – especially if you enjoy creating unoriginal music – but his brother didn't care, and he wouldn't have been anywhere else, with anyone else. And we agreed. Our shared hours spent talking and laughing afterwards were not wasted.